Science Across the World

Project-based learning (PBL) via the integration of technology in science teaching is one of the contextual learning approaches that has gained much popularity and increased attention in the recent years. Project-based activities become the precursor for the advancement of Science and Technology Education (STE) in developing countries. Research findings indicate that the use of technology allows students to present their projects in an interesting and comprehensive manner. Science projects are usually triggered from simple questions or problems in various contexts. With a close guidance by the mentors, students’ project work could provide the motivating and effective contexts for the acquisition of research skills, scientific understanding, problem solving and critical/creative thinking skills. Technology, in a variety of sophisticated forms, in turn challenges the student to create many tasks in line with each individual’s knowledge and proficiency. The easy access to numerous sources of information from the virtual library allows breadth in the projects concerned, besides offering many possibilities for innovative designs.

The availability of the Internet and the global advanced networking has enabled sophisticated e-learning systems to flourish at a tremendously fast pace. People can access multiple sources of information in cyberspace from the many e-learning platforms, which have mushroomed over the past few decades. “Science Across the World” (henceforth being referred to as SAW) is an exemplary international web-based programme, which promotes project-based learning; initiated in 1990 by the Association for Science Education (ASE) of the United Kingdom (UK) under the sponsorship of British Petroleum (BP). Since the year 2000, the SAW programme was developed and managed by the ASE in partnership with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and healthcare companies committed to improving the quality of human life. SAW invites the participation of teachers and students all over the world. Together with ASE and others, GSK aims to stimulate interest and confidence in science among young people, as well as to promote awareness and discussion of scientific issues that affect mankind around the world (SAW, 2000). Being an international flagship programme, SAW is a global alliance for five regional initiatives i.e. Science Across Africa, Science Across America, Science Across Asia Pacific, Science Across Europe and Science Across Latin America. A regional coordinator is appointed to coordinate the project in each region. RECSAM is privileged to be entrusted to coordinate this project in the Asia Pacific region since 1991. “Science Across Asia Pacific” (SAAP) was initiated in 1991 in consultation with ASE and funded by BP Malaysia, the company currently named Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn.Bhd.

The SAW international programme aims to introduce into science education an increased awareness of the different perspectives, ways of life and national traditions of students in various countries. It raises the awareness of the ways in which science and technology interact with society, industry and the environment. The programme with its suggested topics can be viewed and downloaded from the official website http://www.scienceacross.org. SAW also provides the opportunity for schoolteachers and students in different countries to develop communication skills among themselves; collaborating over a range of exciting and important projects. The programme provides a virtual platform to host a forum where students get to exchange opinions and findings with their peers in other countries by filling the information exchange form, which is stored in the SAW database, or via e-mails.

The SAW programme focuses on project work upholding the following three main processes of learning, i.e. (a) Individual student’s exploratory work where the student carries out investigations to explore science locally; (b) Compilation of the “This is the best time to introduce project-based learning to reach out to as many students as possible. I wish to tap their potential in doing Maths/Science projects using the e-learning platform provided by SAW

scientific investigations; as well as (2) Interdisciplinary and cross-curricularstudies incorporating the use of theICT platform for communication to explore issues related to Science/Mathematics/Social Science, Health/Environmental Education andSustainable Development. With the launching of two new topicsto the SAW programme, “Talkingabout Genetics Around the World” and “Climate Change” in the year006, many relevant science teachingand learning activities very much inline with addressing the current global issues and concerns have beenincorporated. For instance, aneducational website on “ClimateChange” (http:// kmi4scho ls.e2bn.net/mtn_satw/)which is hyperlinked to the main SAWofficial website (http://www.scienceacross.org), has been developed to promote interactiveteaching and learning. In fact, theSAW programme is gaining an increased interest and participation inthe SEAMEO region. Todate (as of 21 December06), the number ofschools and teachers participating in theprogramme in the regionis estimated to be asfollows, i.e. BruneiDarussalam (15 schoolsand 36 teachers), Cambodia (8 schoolsand 14 teachers),Indonesia (43 schoolsand 64 teachers), Laos (6schools and 8 teachers), Malaysia (137 schools and 251 teachers),Myanmar (12 schools and 14teachers), Philippines (41 schools and84 teachers), Singapore (33 schools and 68 teachers), Thailand (172schools and 305 teachers) andVietnam (15 schools and 15 teachers).In Malaysia, a study was conducted by the RECSAM regular courseparticipants in the year 2004(Bernadas, et al., 2004) using action Research paradigm to explore whetherproject-based learning with ICTintegration would foster a positiveattitude among students towards science using the SAW web-basedlearning curriculum on the topic of“Renewable Energy”. The generalconcern among the researchers and the science teachers was theindifferent attitude towards sciencemanifested due to the change of the language of instruction of Sciencefrom the national language to English.It had been identified as the researchproblem to be addressed. The results ad paved a step towards the gradualtransition and acceptance of the useof English for science teaching in the nation. Furthermore, this web-basedactivity with a necessity to useEnglish for information exchangeactually aids both the teachers as well as the students’ mastery of sciencelearning besidesallowing enjoymentand involvement inmeaningful contextual projects.The schooladministrators andscience teachers aswell as theresearchers, uponreflection, came to a conclusion thatfurther actionresearch cycles can be carried out toaffirm that project-based contextualactive learning can improve teaching and learning as well as fosterfriendship globally via ICT webplatforms.The future of increasing globalised,technology-rich societies withknowledgeable citizens would relyfully on ICT for information, businessand other transactions. The use of elearning systems to promote ICT andproject-based learning will alleviatehe digital divide among children ofvarious nations. Educators should be at the forefront in web-based ICTadvancement in order to be able tointroduce the necessary learning opportunities for students to realisetheir highest potential and become theleaders and workforce of tomorrow.

About Us

digitalLEARNING magazine is Asia’s premier magazine for the ICT education. Published since 2005 in both print and online formats, the monthly magazine raises awareness about how Information & Communication Technology (ICT) is enhancing the scope and quality of education. The Magazine has made its mark for giving a complete 360 degree perspective from all concerned, about eduSECTOR.